Game Notes, May 4 - Midland at CC

May 4, 2011

Midland (12-13) @ Corpus Christi (11-14)

Jimmy Paredes and Jimmy VanOstrand had three hits each and Kyle Greenwalt turned in his second quality start this season as the Hooks defeated Midland, 7-1, in the opener of this four-game series last night. Paredes is 7-for-10 in two games since returning from the disabled list. VanOstrand's three-hit night included his third home run this season and his sixth career triple.

Greenwalt (2-2) allowed just one run over six innings to get the win. He carried a one-hit shutout into the fifth, and the only run he conceded came on Michael Spina's eighth homer this season. The Hooks have won eight of their last 14 games, while the RockHounds are 0-5 on their current road trip and have lost 12 of their last 18.

Tonight's Matchup:
RHP Justin Murray (0-3, 7.00) vs. LHP Xavier Cedeno (2-3, 5.48)
Murray, selected by Oakland in the 29th round of the 2008 draft out of Kansas State University, makes his fifth start this season and his first against the Hooks. Friday at San Antonio, Murray was touched for three runs on three hits and three walks over five innings in a 3-2 loss. He has lost three consecutive starts since opening with Midland April 12 in a no-decision against Springfield. Murray actually began the year with Stockton in the California League, giving up two runs in two and two-thirds innings of relief (6.75 ERA) Opening Day in Modesto. Murray spent most of last season with Stockton, where he was 10-4 with 1 save and a 3.67 ERA in 26 games and 18 starts. He tied for fifth in the league in wins and ranked sixth in ERA.

In 4 games and 3 starts for Midland last year went 0-1 with a 4.32 ERA
With Kane County in 2009 was 5-1 with 12 saves and a 2.84 ERA
In three seasons at K-State (2006-2008) went 8-5 with 2 saves and a 4.63 ERA

Cedeno, a free-agent signee of the Astros in December, makes his sixth start this year and his first against the RockHounds. Friday, Cedeno opened this home stand with seven shutout innings of work in a 4-0 win over Frisco. The performance marked his first quality start of the year and he set a season-high with six strikeouts. The lefty has won his last two starts and in the process has allowed just two earned runs over 12 innings (1.50 ERA). Originally selected by the Rockies in the 31st round as a "draft and follow" pick in 2004, Cedeno was released by Colorado just before the start of last season. Though he did not pitch during the 2010 regular season, Cedeno made 12 appearances and seven starts in November and December for Carolina in the Puerto Rican Winter League, going 1-2 with a 2.32 ERA.

In 2009 went 4-4 with a 4.66 ERA in 44 relief appearances between Tulsa and Modesto
Made 19 starts for Tulsa in 2008, going 7-7 with a 4.12 ERA
In his one season (2005) at Miami-Dade College, went 3-3 with a 3.25 ERA, with 57 Ks in 44.1 IP

On point
The Hooks have numerous players who are hitting the ball well right now. T.J. Steele has the longest current hitting streak at six games, followed by Brian Esposito, who has hit safely in each of his last five games. Jimmy VanOstrand has hits in four straight and in 10 of his last 11, while Brandon Wikoff has a modest three-game streak and, like VanOstrand, hits in 10 of his last 11. Wladimir Sutil, with five hits in the last two games, has hit safely in 18 of 19 games this year, while J.D. Martinez has hits in 21 of 25.

League leaders
The Hooks have three players who rank in the top 10 in the Texas League in hitting. Sutil (.398) ranks second, with Martinez (.333) and Paredes (.333) tied for fifth. Paredes (11) and Steele (10) rank one-two in the league in stolen bases. Martinez leads the circuit in doubles (13) and slots second in RBIs (28). Sutil stands second in hits (33) and fourth in steals (8).

Sutil chases Anderson
Wladimir Sutil, Corpus Christi's all-time leader in career games (311) and at-bats (1,135), is closing in on Josh Anderson for the franchise record in career hits. With his 1-for-5 effort last night, Sutil has 317 hits in a Hooks uniform - just four shy of the club mark (321) held by Anderson, who roamed the outfield, primarily center, for the Hooks in 2005 and 2006.

Astros announce April players of the month
The Astros have announced their April players of the month for their top four affiliates. Here in Corpus Christi, the honors go to SS Wladimir Sutil and RHP Arcenio Leon. Sutil was recognized as Corpus Christi's offensive and defensive player of the month. Sutil, who missed the final six games of April with a sore back, hit safely in the Hooks first 16 games, going 28-for-67 (.418) with 5 doubles, 1 HR, 16 runs and 4 RBIs. He also stole seven bases. On defense, Sutil posted 21 put-outs and 66 assists while committing only 2 errors (.978 fielding percentage).

Leon appeared in seven games in relief and did not allow an earned run. In 11.0 innings, Leon was touched for two unearned runs on 8 hits and 9 walks while striking out 11. He did not allow a run or hit over his final three appearances in the month, covering 3.0 innings.

Happy Birthday, Bob!
Midland RockHounds broadcaster Bob Hards celebrates a birthday today. Hards, in his 22nd season with the Midland franchise, is the second-longest tenured broadcaster in the Texas League, trailing only Roy Acuff in San Antonio.

Pitching Rotation vs. Midland
Thursday: LHP Carlos Hernandez (4-1, 6.75) vs. RHP Jonnathan Aristil (1-1, 5.33)
Friday: LHP Anthony Capra (0-1, 6.85) vs. RHP Ross Seaton (1-1, 5.06)

HOOKS PLAYER NOTES

Brian Esposito

Has 5-game hit streak, 6-18 with 1 double and 4 RBIs
Has thrown out 4 of 11 (36.4%) would-be base stealers
Appeared in 2 games with the Astros last year and 1 game with St. Louis in 2007
In 45 games last year with AAA Round Rock hit .225-2-18 with 5 doubles

David Flores

Has hits in 3 of the last 5 games, 5-16 with 1 HR, 3 runs and 2 RBIs
Injured Monday night in third-inning collision with Dallas Keuchel; available tonight
Batting .176(9-51) vs. RHP; .2676(8-30) vs. LHP; .375(6-16) w/RISP
In 115 games last year with Lancaster batted .269-14-57 with 24 doubles

Jon Gaston

Went 0-11 in Frisco series
Was in Monday night's game for only two batters, left after slamming into RF fence; available tonight
Batting .246(14-57) vs. RHP; .214(6-28) vs. LHP; .167(5-30) w/RISP
Was CC's defensive player of the month last May and offensive player of the month last July
Last season in 132 games with the Hooks batted .245-13-51 with 13 SBs

Federico Hernandez

Has hits in 5 of his last 6 games, 5-23 with 1 double, 3 runs and 2 RBIs
Batting .104(5-48) vs. RHP; .125(3-24) vs. LHP; .200(4-20) w/RISP
Has thrown out 2 of 16 (12.5%) would-be base stealers
Was a combined .273-9-51 in 103 games last year with Lancaster and Corpus Christi

J.D. Martinez

Has hits in 8 of the last 10 games, 14-42 with 6 doubles, 1 HR, 6 runs and 9 RBIs
Leads the TL in doubles (13) and ranks second in RBIs (28)
Has hits in 21 of 25 games; has 8 multi-hit games
Opened season with an 11-game hitting streak (15x42)
Established a club-record nine-game RBI streak (April 11-21) with 14 RBIs
Batting .361(22-61) vs. RHP; .286(10-35) vs. LHP; .407(11-27) w/RISP
Houston's Minor League Player of the Year in 2010 (.341-18-89, 5 SBs)

Jimmy Paredes

Placed on the DL April 27, retroactive to April 25; activated Monday
In 2 games since returning is 7-for-10 with 1 double, 1 HR, 5 runs and 3 RBIs
Leads league lead in steals (11)
Batting .359(14-39) vs. RHP; .296(8-27) vs. LHP; .348(8-23) w/RISP
Hit .287-8-65 last year with Charleston and Lexington, ranking third in the South Atlantic League with 50 stolen bases
Acquired by the Astros along with RHP Mark Melancon in the Lance Berkman deal with the Yankees last July

Andy Simunic

Returned to CC last Wednesday from AAA Oklahoma City
Is 6-22 in 7 games since his return with 1 double, 6 runs and 2 RBIs
In 3 games w/ the RedHawks went 1-for-5 with 1 HBP and 1 run
Batting .154(4-26) vs. RHP; .429(6-14) vs. LHP; .200(2-10) w/RISP
Hit .293-3-43 with 17 SBs last year between Lexington and Lancaster
A 17th-round pick of the Astros in 2008 out of the University of Tennessee

T.J. Steele

Has a 6-game hit streak, 7-24 with 1 double, 1 HR, 3 runs and 6 RBIs
Has hits in 10 of the last 11 games, 14-48 with 1 double, 3 HRs, 8 runs and 13 RBIs
Batting .209(14-67) vs. RHP; .306(11-36) vs. LHP; .263(10-38) w/RISP
In his first three pro seasons hit .281-10-79 in 157 games; his playing time hampered by a variety of injuries
A fourth-round selection of the Astros in 2008 out of the University of Arizona

Wladimir Sutil

Has hits in 18 of 19 games
Is 5-16 in 3 games since returning to the lineup with 1 double, 4 runs and 2 RBIs
Named Corpus Christi's offensive and defensive player of the month in April
Missed 6 games (sore back) from April 25-30
Batting .340(17-50) vs. RHP; .485(16-33) vs. LHP; .385(5-13) w/RISP
Has 24 PO, 79 A, 2 E (played 3B last night for the first time since 2008 w/Salem)
Was a combined .262-1-29 with 23 SBs last year with Corpus Christi and Round Rock

Jimmy VanOstrand

Has hits in 10 of the last 11 games, 17-43 with 5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HRs, 12 runs and 7 RBIs
Is Corpus Christi's all-time franchise leader with 130 RBIs
Batting .345(20-58) vs. RHP; .161(5-31) vs. LHP; .267(8-30) w/RISP
An eighth-round pick of the Astros in 2006 out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Brandon Wikoff

Has hits in 10 of the last 11 games, 24-45 (.533) with 2 doubles, 1 HR, 11 runs and 6 RBIs
Named the TL's Batter of the Week April 25-May 1 (.600, 18x30)
Hit first career HR last Wednesday night in his 657th pro at-bat
Had 4-hit games at Midland last Monday and Wednesday night
Batting .486(17-35) vs. RHP; .438(7-16) vs. LHP; .600(6-10) w/RISP
Last year with Lancaster hit .257-0-27 with 40 runs in 113 games
A fifth-round selection of the Astros in 2009 out of the University of Illinois

BULLPEN REPORT

Starters: 8-8, 4.79 ERA, 129.2 IP, 18 HR, 42 BB, 88 K, .285 AVG
Relievers: 3-6, 5.15 ERA, 92.2 IP, 103 H, 13 HR, 48 BB, 78 K, .285 AVG

David Berner

Last appearance: (2.0 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 1 BB) Surrendered a pair of three-run homers Sunday...an Elio Sarmiento shot in the eighth and Tommy Mendonca's blast in the ninth.
Struck out 4 and walked 1, yielding 2 runs over 2 IP Thurs. night in series finale at Midland
Delivered 2 shutout frames last Monday (April 2), fanning 3 in series opener vs. 'Hounds
Ranked second in the Astros system with 12 saves in 17 chances last season... led all qualifying full-season Houston farmhands (minimum 56.0 IP) in relief ERA...his 41 games finished and 2.15 walks per nine innings slotted fifth best in the California League
Selected in the 14th round of the 2009 draft out of San Jose State...led the WAC with a 3.20 ERA, 84 strikeouts and an opponent's batting average of .240 during his senior season

David Carpenter

Worked a perfect 9th last night, striking out a batter
Last appearance: (1.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 K) Yielded a 2-run homer to Mike Bianucci Saturday
Lost last Tuesday (April 26) at Midland, relenting a 4-1 lead in the 9th & 10th on 3 HRs
Had faced 654 batters as a pro, yielding just six home runs (1 HR per 109 BF)
Was 4-for-4 in save situations prior to last Tuesday, retiring 23 of 30 batters faced
A member of Houston's 40-man roster, the converted catcher led all Cardinals farmhands last year with 20 saves (in 23 chances)
Traded from St. Louis for Pedro Feliz in August 2010...originally 1st round pick in 2006

Arcenio Leon

Last appearance: (1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K) Surrendered two walks and a single to open eighth inning Monday night...induced double play to minimize damage
Fanned two in the eighth last Thursday at Midland
Crafted a perfect frame to close out Game 3 (April 25) of the series vs. RockHounds
Allowed 2 unearned runs in his first appearance...since then has given up 2 earned runs over the last 11.1 frames (7 appearances)
35 of his 36 outs have been record on the ground or via strikeout
Added to Houston's 40-man roster in November, 2010
Would have ranked fifth among relievers in the South Atlantic League last season with a .201 opponents' batting average, but fell two frames shy of the league qualifier
Made his AA debut with the Hooks July 19 and limited opponents to a pair of earned runs in his first six appearances (2.16 ERA)

Danny Meszaros

Last appearance: Struck out 2 and walked 1 over 2 scoreless frames last night
Tossed a perfect 9th Monday vs. Frisco
Made 2011 debut Friday night and crafted 2 shutout frames, fanning 2
Last season, went a combined 5-2 with a 3.57 ERA and 10 saves in 33 contests between Corpus Christi and Round Rock before being suspended 50 games
Struck out 47 and walked 22 in 40.1 innings
Began 2009 campaign at Lexington...did not allow a run in first 13 appearances, recording 9 saves in as many chances
Promoted to CC in mid May and went on to lead the team in appearances...limited the league to a .207 average at Whataburger Field, posting a 1.75 ERA
His 10 total saves led the Houston system

Matt Nevarez

Last appearance: (.1 IP, 2 H, 3 ERA, 2 BB, 3 WP) Allowed the tying run to score Sunday on two wild pitches - one skipping into the seats - during the same at-bat.
Worked 1.1 scoreless innings last Wednesday at Midland, fanning 3 against 1 walk
Yielded just 1 hit in his 2011 debut April 24 at Frisco
Resided on the inactive list until April 23
Endured multiple stints on the DL last season, but yielded three runs over his final 13 appearances for a 1.84 ERA.
Traded from Texas along with a player to be named (Jose Vallejo) in the 2009 deal that sent catcher Pudge Rodriguez to the Rangers...originally selected in the 10th rd. of the 2005 draft

Patrick Urckfitz

Last appearance: (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 K) Retired first 6 batters Saturday before yielding a Tommy Mendoza single...run later scored on Mike Bianucci's homer...picked up the loss
Tossed 1 shutout frame...1 H, 2 K last Tuesday (April 26) at Midland
Yielded just 1 earned run in first 7 appearances (10.2 IP)
Tagged with the loss April 17 vs. NWA... a throwing error to lead off the 7th, sac bunt and back-to-back walks (1 intentional) paved the way toward 6 unearned runs
Shifted to Lancaster's rotation full-time in early July last season to gain more innings
Led the JetHawks in strikeouts (103) and tied for fourth in victories (5)
For the season, averaged 8.78 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.24 Ks for every walk.
In 2009, ranked second in the Astros organization with 14 saves

Shane Wolf

Last appearance: (4.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) Entered Monday's game in 3rd after Keuchel collided with 3B Flores on a pop up...Surrendered a 3-run homer to Mike Bianucci but retired next 14 batters to earn the victory
Touched for 2 runs in 1/3 inning last Thursday night at Midland
Suffered loss April 15 vs. Tulsa , yielding 5 runs on 7 hits in 1.2 IP...entered with a 6-4 lead
Fanned 3 without issuing a walk over 3.2 scoreless frames (3 app) to open season
Finished 2010 second on the JetHawks in victories (7) and fourth in innings pitched (108.2)
Shifted to the bullpen in early July and went 3-0 with a 2.81 ERA over 15 appearances...struck out 27 and walked 5 in 32 relief innings